Corndogs + Avocados

It’s been quite a week in the news. James Brown passed away as did Gerald Ford. Saddam Hussein was hanged, and “Michael and Juanita Jordan mutually and amicably decided to end their 17 year marriage” as quoted on CNN. All of these public figures have influenced my life in some way.

At our house we grew up with Michael Jordan posters on our bedroom walls. I wasn’t a very good basketballer but I loved Michael Jordan anyway. I wanted long legs like his. I wanted his charismatic smile and I wanted to stick out my tongue like he did (truth be told I wanted to stick out my tongue at my coaches who told me I would never be a good basketball player and who I unfortunately believed). He was one figure who I always believed was an honest and all-around good guy. I confess I haven’t really followed his career much after high school so I don’t know if he was or is actually good or honest. But in my head he was a hero and could do no wrong.

I never had the pleasure of seeing James Brown in concert but I would have loved seeing him. I know his enthusiasm and music made a lot of people happy (including my wonderful wife) and I am sad to see him go. Of course his music will live on forever on our iPods.

I became vaguely aware of Gerald Ford after moving to the United States to attend university. I don’t know anything about him other than what I’ve learned in the last few days from the online news stories reporting his passing, but I know he would be important to my American in-laws. Growing up in Alberta we rarely talked about Canadian history or politics besides a passing comment about the liberals ruining the west or the bloc Qu?b?cois crying for more special treatment. I have noticed however that my American friends and family are much more interested in politics and history. When the extended family gets together the topics discussed by the 40+ crowd almost always end up relating to history and politics.

I have stayed away from the politics surrounding Saddam Hussein and the invasion of Iraq. I don’t really have a public opinion about it other than I believe he was a true dictator and seems to have reaped what he sowed. I am reminded of Doctrine & Covenants 29:45 which states: “For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey.” Follow this with Mosiah 2:33 which states: “For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.” I have no doubt whatsoever that Saddam knew right from wrong and chose to do wrong to suit his pleasure. So, however one chooses to assess Saddam’s life and ensuing death it is not a pretty picture.